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Gender Research Group on Facebook

The Editor | Sep 15, 2014

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Rachel Francon

These days everyone and everything seems to be on Facebook. TGF has a Facebook page! You should check it out.

This post, however, is about one group on Facebook that is dedicated to keeping its members informed of the latest research going on in neurology, endocrinology and nutrition that may impact trans people. The group is called Gender Research for All Genders and it was founded by Rachel Francon. Ms. Francon has a medical research background and has studied psychology and neurology. She says in the group’s statement of purpose that she is not a doctor but that gives her time to do a lot more reading about the latest gender related research than a doctor actually does.

A Facebook group is an assembly of Facebook friends who join together to discuss an issue of importance to them. The Gender Research group is restricted to just that, no “selfies” or off-topic rants. Ms. Francon says, “…we won’t post or publish anything without firm objective scientific research backing and personal experience reports as well.”

The sort of thing you find on the group’s page.

While Ms. Francon advocates a DIY approach to gender transition she also promotes the need to get blood work done and know enough to be able to interpret the results. Her approach to gender transition is that knowledge is power. The more you know about what effect different medications have on your body the better able you are to work with your doctor, sometimes even informing your doctor of things he is not aware of.

Some of the posts in the Gender Research group are very science intensive and may be hard for someone without an education in neurology or endocrinology to understand, but other posts are easily understood.

Recent topics posted include: the relationship between estrogen and osteoporosis in MtF women; which is safer, natural hormones or synthetic; effects of dietary omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid on brain gene expression; estrogen related to autism and other emotional problems; the hippocampus and gender identity. It’s easy to see that some people won’t be able to follow the information but the Facebook comment function allows those who have questions to post them and Ms. Francon or other members of the group can explain and clarify.

The Gender Research for All Genders group has over 5000 members and it is growing. Most of the members have joined at the invitation of friends who were already part of the group. And, of course, you have to be a member of Facebook to join Ms. Francon and her fellow gender researchers as they push back the ignorance and bring the newest findings to light. If you are interested in participating contact her via Facebook.